President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the presidential pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.
The reversal came after widespread public backlash over the decision to pardon her. In a new official gazette released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu approved that Sanda serve a reduced jail term of 12 years instead.
According to the document, Sanda, who has already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, will now serve the remaining years of her sentence on compassionate grounds.
Earlier this month, Sanda had been among 175 Nigerians and foreigners granted clemency by the president. Others included the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, Major General Mamman Vatsa, and members of the “Ogoni Nine.”
The Presidency had explained that Sanda’s family pleaded for her release, citing her good conduct, remorse, and the need to care for her two children. The plea was also backed by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, led by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
However, the pardon sparked outrage among Nigerians, who argued that forgiving someone convicted of murder, especially in such a high-profile case, undermined the justice system.
Critics maintained that the pardon sent the wrong message about accountability and the sanctity of life, forcing the presidency to review the decision.
With the reversal, Sanda will remain in custody to serve out the remaining part of her 12-year prison sentence.
